Tape Measure

ABSTRACT

A tape measure includes a housing having a wall defining an internal cavity and a tape port, a coilable measuring tape disposed within the internal housing and having a first end extendable out of the housing, and an end hook member including an attachment portion and a hook portion. The attachment portion is arranged to engage the first end of the tape to attach the end hook member to the tape. The hook portion extends in a direction normal to the attachment portion and includes a first face and a second face arranged to engage the workpiece. A finger guard extends from the housing, and is configured to engage the hook member, and a finger space is defined between the tape port and the finger guard and is arranged to receive a user&#39;s finger during operation of the tape measure such that the user&#39;s finger engages the measuring tape.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to measurement devices, and in particular,the invention relates to a tape measure including a magnetic hook.

SUMMARY

In one construction, the invention provides a tape measure. The tapemeasure includes a housing and a length of measuring tape having a firstend and a second end. The first end of the measuring tape is coupled tothe housing. A hook assembly is fixedly coupled to the second end of themeasuring tape. The hook assembly includes a hook body having a magnethousing portion. A first magnet and a second magnet are disposed withinthe magnet housing portion. The first magnet has a first magnetic poleorientation and the second magnet has a second magnetic poleorientation, where the first magnetic pole orientation is substantiallynon-parallel to the second magnetic pole orientation.

In one construction, the invention provides a tape measure for measuringa workpiece. The tape measure includes a housing, a coilable measuringtape at least partially disposed within the housing and having a firstend extendable out of the housing, and an end hook member including anattachment portion and a hook portion. The attachment portion isarranged to engage a first surface of the first end of the tape toattach the end hook member to the tape. The hook portion extends in adirection substantially normal to the attachment portion and includes afirst face and a second face arranged to engage the workpiece. Thesecond face faces outward from the end of the tape. A magnet housing iscoupled to the end hook member, a first magnet is disposed within themagnet housing and arranged to magnetically engage the workpiece whenthe workpiece is positioned adjacent the second face, and a secondmagnet is disposed within the magnet housing and is arranged tomagnetically engage the workpiece when the workpiece is positionedadjacent the first face.

In another construction, the invention provides a tape measure formeasuring a workpiece. The tape measure includes a housing and acoilable measuring tape at least partially disposed within the housingand having a first end extendable out of the housing. The extendedportion of the tape forms a concavo-convex cross section having aconcave side and a convex side when extended out of the housing. An endhook member includes an attachment portion and a hook portion. Theattachment portion is arranged to engage one of the concave side and theconvex side of the tape to attach the end hook member to the tape. Thehook portion extends in a direction substantially normal to theattachment portion and includes a first face that faces toward the tapeand a second face that extends away from the tape. A magnet includes afirst pole and a second pole and is arranged to present the first polein a plane substantially parallel to the second face to magneticallyattract the workpiece when the workpiece is positioned adjacent thesecond face and to present one of the first pole and the second polealong a portion of the extended portion of the tape to magneticallyengage the workpiece when the workpiece is positioned adjacent the tapeand the first face.

In another construction, the invention provides a tape measure formeasuring a workpiece. The tape measure includes a housing and acoilable measuring tape at least partially disposed within the housingand having a first end extendable out of the housing. The extendedportion of the tape forms a concavo-convex cross section having aconcave side and a convex side when extended out of the housing. An endhook member includes an attachment portion and a hook portion. Theattachment portion is arranged to engage the concave side of the firstend of the tape to attach the end hook member to the tape. The hookportion extends in a direction substantially normal to the attachmentportion and includes a first face and a second face arranged to engagethe workpiece. The second face faces outward from the end of the tape. Amagnet housing is coupled to the end hook member and is disposed withinthe concave side of the first end of the tape, a first magnet disposedwithin the magnet housing and including a substantially planar surfacethat is substantially parallel to the second face and arranged tomagnetically engage the workpiece when the workpiece is positionedadjacent the second face; and a second magnet disposed within the magnethousing and arranged to magnetically engage the workpiece in a directionnormal to the planar surface of the first magnet when the workpiece ispositioned adjacent the first face.

In another construction, a tape measure for measuring a workpieceincludes a housing having a wall defining an internal cavity and a tapeport, a coilable measuring tape at least partially disposed within theinternal housing and having a first end extendable out of the housingthrough the tape port, and an end hook member including an attachmentportion and a hook portion. The attachment portion is arranged to engagethe first end of the tape to attach the end hook member to the tape. Thehook portion extends in a direction substantially normal to theattachment portion and includes a first face and a second face arrangedto engage the workpiece, the second face facing outward from the end ofthe tape. A finger guard extends from the housing, and is configured toengage the hook member when the measuring tape is fully retracted and afinger space is defined between the tape port and the finger guard andis arranged to receive a user's finger during operation of the tapemeasure such that the user's finger slidingly engages the measuringtape.

In another construction, a method of controlling the movement of a tapefrom a tape measure includes extending the tape from a tape port in thehousing, the housing including a front surface and a bottom surface, thetape port being adjacent the bottom surface and set back a firstdistance from the front surface and passing the tape through a fingerguard disposed adjacent the front surface, the tape including an endhook that engages the finger guard to inhibit retraction of the tapecompletely into the tape port, the finger guard and the tape portdefining a finger space having a length of about the first distance. Themethod also includes positioning a user's finger in the finger spacesuch that the user's finger is in contact with the tape as the tapepasses between the finger guard and the tape port and applying pressureto the tape using the user's finger to stop movement of the tape and tomaintain the tape in an extended position.

In yet another construction, a tape measure for measuring a workpieceincludes a housing having a wall defining an internal cavity, the wallincluding a front surface and a bottom surface, a tape port formed inthe housing adjacent the bottom surface and set back a first distancefrom the front surface. A coilable measuring tape is at least partiallydisposed within the internal housing and has a first end extendable outof the housing through the tape port. An end hook member includes anattachment portion and a hook portion, the attachment portion arrangedto engage the first end of the tape to attach the end hook member to thetape, the hook portion extending in a direction substantially normal tothe attachment portion. A finger guard is positioned adjacent the frontsurface and extends from the housing to the bottom surface, the fingerguard defining an opening sized to allow passage of the tape and toinhibit passage of the hook portion of the end hook member. A recessedhousing portion is formed between the tape port and the finger guard,the recessed housing portion spaced a second distance from the bottomsurface of the housing, the second distance measured in a directionsubstantially normal to the first direction. A finger space is definedin a first direction between the finger guard and the tape port and in asecond direction between the bottom surface and the recessed surface,the finger guard sized to receive a user's finger and inhibit contactbetween the user's finger and the hook portion when the user's finger isdisposed in the finger space during tape usage.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape measure according to oneconstruction of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hook assembly of the tape measure ofFIG. 1, with the hook member illustrated transparently to illustrate anarrangement of magnets.

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the hook assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded side view of the hook assembly of FIG. 3, showingmagnetic pole orientations.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tape measure according to anotherconstruction of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a measuring tape and a hookassembly of the tape measure of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the hook assembly of FIG. 9, alongsection 10-10.

FIG. 8 is a cutaway view of the tape measure of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a finger guard assembly of the tapemeasure of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a finger guard member of the fingerguard assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a tape measure according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a finger guard assembly of the tapemeasure of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a finger guard member of the fingerguard assembly of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a tape measure according to anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a cutaway view of the tape measure of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a finger guard assembly of the tapemeasure of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a finger guard member of the fingerguard assembly of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any constructions of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other constructions and of being practicedor of being carried out in various ways.

FIG. 1 illustrates a length measurement device, more specifically, atape measure 10. The tape measure 10 includes a coilable measuring tape14 that is at least partially disposed within a housing assembly 18.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a variable-length segment of the measuringtape 14 is retractable and extendable from the housing assembly 18 alonga tape axis 22. When extracted, the extended portion of the tape forms aconcavo-convex cross sectional shape (best illustrated in FIG. 6) thatincludes a concave or top surface of the tape 14 and a convex or bottomsurface of the tape 14. At least the top surface 14 includes indicia fortaking measurements.

A hook assembly 26, or end hook member is fixedly coupled to an endportion 30 of the measuring tape 14. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, thehook assembly 26 includes a hook body 34. The hook body 34 includesattachment portions 38 for riveting or otherwise fastening the hook body34 to the end portion 30 of the tape 14. In preferred constructions, theattachment portions 38 form a concavo-convex cross section similar tothat of the tape 14. A hook tab 42 extends substantially perpendicularto the attachment portions 38 and defines a first face 43 that facestoward the tape and a second face 44 that faces outward or away from thetape 14. The hook tab 42 is configured to engage an end portion of aworkpiece to be measured, such as a board or beam. The hook tab 42defines serrations for additional engagement with the workpiece. In someconstructions, a single attachment portion extends along the center ofthe tape and facilitates the attachment of the hook assembly 26 to thetape.

Referring to FIG. 3, the hook body 34 additionally includes a magnethousing 46 disposed between the attachment portions 38. In theillustrated construction, the magnet housing 46 defines a circular bore50 extending through the hook body 34 along a magnet axis 54. The magnetaxis 54 is substantially parallel to the tape axis 22 (FIG. 1). In otherconstructions, the bore may be a blind hole with a closed end portion.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a first magnet 58 and a second magnet 62 aredisposed within the magnet housing 46. As shown in FIG. 3, the firstmagnet 58 and the second magnet 62 are disposed entirely within the bore50. In other constructions, the magnets 58 and 62 may extend beyond thebore 50.

Referring to FIG. 4, the first magnet 58 is magnetized with its northand south magnetic poles, N₁ and S₁, respectively, oriented along themagnet axis 54. The first magnet 58 is so oriented to provide asignificant magnetic pull toward metal objects placed in front of thehook assembly 26. The second magnet 62 is magnetized with its north andsouth poles, N₂ and S₂, respectively, oriented perpendicular to themagnet axis 54. The second magnet 62 is so oriented to provide asignificant magnetic pull toward metal objects placed alongside top orbottom surfaces of the hook assembly 26. For example, FIG. 7 illustratesa workpiece “W1” in a first position in which the first magnet isattracted to it in the direction of arrow “X”. A workpiece “W2” is alsoshown in a second position in which the second magnet attracts theworkpiece in the direction of arrow “Y”. Thus, the first magnet attractsworkpieces positioned adjacent the second face 44 beyond the end of thetape 14, while the second magnet attracts the workpiece when it ispositioned adjacent the first face 43 and the tape 14.

Referring back to FIG. 1, a second end of the measuring tape 14 iscoupled to the housing assembly 18. The measuring tape 14 forms a spooldisposed within a cavity of the housing assembly 18. A retractionmechanism is coupled to the spool to provide for powered retraction ofthe measuring tape 14. The retraction mechanism may include an elongatedcoiled spring for motive force. A tape lock 66 is provided toselectively engage at least one of the spool and the retractionmechanism, such that the extended segment 22 of the measuring tape 14remains at a desired length.

The housing assembly 18 includes a first side wall 70, a second sidewall 74, and a peripheral wall 78 connecting the first side wall 70 andthe second side wall 74. Each of the first side wall 70 and the secondside wall 74 has a substantially circular profile. In otherconstructions, the side walls 70 and 74 may be rectangular or anotherpolygonal shape. Portions of the housing assembly 18 may be co-molded orseparately formed of a resilient material, such as a natural orsynthetic rubber, forming housing bumpers.

A slot 82 is defined along a forward portion 86 of the peripheral wall78. The slot 82 is provided to allow for sliding movement of the tapelock 66 relative to housing assembly 18. Below the slot 82, a tape port90 is provided in the peripheral wall 78. The tape port 90 allows forthe retraction and extension of the measuring tape 14 to and from theinternal cavity.

A guard member 94 is coupled to the housing assembly 18 adjacent thetape port 90. As shown in FIG. 2, the guard member 94 is U-shaped and isconfigured to engage the hook assembly 26 when the measuring tape 14 isfully retracted.

The guard member 94 shields the housing assembly 18 from being struck bythe hook assembly 26. The guard member 94 also shields a user's fingersfrom being struck by the hook assembly 26 when the measuring tape 14 israpidly retracted into the housing assembly 18. A gap 98 defined betweenthe tape port 90 and the guard member 94 allows a user's finger toslidingly engage the measuring tape 14 during retraction, therebyallowing the user to control a rate at which the tape 14 is retractedinto the housing assembly 18.

FIG. 5 illustrates a tape measure 102 according to another embodiment ofthe invention. Various aspects of the tape measure 102 are similar tothose of the tape measure 10, and only those aspects that differ aredescribed herein. The tape measure 102 includes a coilable measuringtape 106 and a housing assembly 110.

A hook assembly 114 is fixedly coupled to an end portion 118 of themeasuring tape 106. Referring to FIG. 6, the hook assembly 114 includesa hook body 122 and a magnet housing 126. The hook body 122 includesattachment portions 130 for riveting or otherwise fastening the hookbody 122 to the end portion 118 of the tape 106. A hook tab 134 extendssubstantially perpendicular to the attachment portions 130. The hook tab134 includes extension portions 138 that extend beyond a lateral width142 of the measuring tape 106, and, referring to FIG. 7, beyond firstand second planes 146 and 150 of the measuring tape 106. The extensionportions 138 facilitate engaging the hook tab 134 with various workpieces and in various orientations. The hook body 122 may be formed, forexample, of stamped steel or other metals.

Referring to FIG. 6, the magnet housing 126 defines a first magnetrecess 154 with a polygonal (e.g., square) cross-section. Referring toFIG. 7, the magnet housing 126 defines a second magnet recess 158 with apolygonal (e.g., rectangular) cross section. The first magnet recess 154and the second magnet recess 158 are separated by a baffle wall 162. Themagnet housing 126 may be formed, for example, of injection moldedplastic.

A first magnet 166 is disposed in the first magnet recess 154. A secondmagnet 170 is disposed within the second magnet recess 158. The firstmagnet 166 is magnetized with its north and south magnetic poles, N₁ andS₁, respectively, oriented along a magnet axis 174 that is substantiallyparallel to a tape axis 178. The first magnet 166 is so oriented toprovide a significant magnetic pull toward metal objects placed in frontof the hook assembly 114. The second magnet 170 is magnetized with itsnorth and south poles, N₂ and S₂, respectively, oriented perpendicularto the magnet axis 174. The second magnet 170 is so oriented to providea significant magnetic pull toward metal objects placed alongside top orbottom surfaces 182 or 186 of the hook assembly 114. Virtually anymagnet material could be employed as the magnets 58, 62, 166, 170 (e.g.,metal alloys, rare earths, ceramics, bonded magnets, etc.).

Referring to FIG. 8, a second end 190 of the measuring tape 106 iscoupled to a spool assembly 194 disposed with the housing assembly 110.A retraction mechanism 198 is coupled to the spool assembly 194 toprovide for powered retraction of the measuring tape 106. A tape lock202 is slidably coupled to the housing assembly 110 and includes anactuation portion 206 and an engagement portion 210. The engagementportion 210 selectively engages the measuring tape 106 and compressesthe measure tape 106 into a friction member 214, thereby inhibiting themeasuring tape 106 from retracting into the housing assembly 110. Thefriction member 214 may be formed as an extension of an overmold layer218 on the housing assembly 110 (FIG. 5).

The tape measure 102 also includes a finger guard assembly 218.Referring to FIG. 9, the finger guard assembly 218 includes a guardmember 222 and a guard support member 226. Exposed portions 230 of theguard member 222 are substantially U-shaped, with a first leg 234 and asecond leg 238 extending from the guard support member 226, and aconnecting leg 242 extending between first leg 234 and the second leg238. Referring to FIG. 10, a first mounting extension 246 is coupled tothe first leg 234, and a second mounting extension 250 is coupled to thesecond leg 238. Each of the first mounting extension 246 and the secondmounting extension 250 includes a mounting boss 254. The guard member222 may be formed of substantially rigid material such as a metal.

Referring to FIG. 9, the guard support member 226 is molded over thefirst mounting extension 246 and the second mounting extension 250 ofthe guard member 222, such that the exposed portions 230 of the guardmember 222 extend from a forward surface 258 of the guard support member226. The mounting bosses 254 extend outwardly from lateral edges 262 ofthe guard support member 226.

The guard support member 226 further includes a fastener boss 264.Referring to FIG. 8, the fastener boss 264 defines an aperture 266 forreceiving a fastener 270 for coupling the guard support member 226 tothe housing assembly 110. The mounting extensions 246 and 250 of theguard member 222 are received by corresponding recesses 274 (FIG. 5)formed in the housing assembly 110. The guard support member 226 may beformed of a resilient polymer or rubber material, such that the guardsupport member 226 provides a degree of impact resistance between theguard member 222 and the housing assembly 110 when the guard member 222is struck by the hook assembly 114 or the tape measure 102 is droppedupon the guard member 222. Additionally, the guard support member 226can rotate relative to the housing about the fastener 270 when an impactis received by the guard member 222.

FIG. 11 illustrates a tape measure 278 according to another embodimentof the invention. Various aspects of the tape measure are similar tothose of the tape measure 102, and only those aspects that differ aredescribed herein.

The tape measure 278 includes a finger guard assembly 282. Referring toFIG. 12, the finger guard assembly 282 includes a guard support member286 and a guard member 290 (FIG. 13). A U-shaped portion 294 of theguard member 290 extends through a bottom surface 298 of the guardsupport member 286 (FIG. 12). Referring back to FIG. 11, the fingerguard assembly 282 is configured such that a hook member 302 strikes theguard support member 286, as opposed to the guard member 290, of thefinger guard assembly 282. The guard support member 286 may be formed ofan impact resistant material such as a resilient polymer or rubber.

FIG. 14 illustrates a tape measure 306 according to yet anotherembodiment of the invention. Various aspects of the tape measure 306 aresimilar to those of the tape measures 102 and 278, and only thoseaspects that differ are described herein.

The tape measure 306 includes a finger guard assembly 310. Referring toFIG. 16, the finger guard assembly 310 includes a guard support member314 and a guard member 318. The guard member 318 includes a U-shaped,exposed portion 322 and, referring to FIG. 17, a first extension member326 and a second extension member 330. Referring to FIG. 16, the guardsupport member 314 is molded over first extension member 326 and thesecond extension member 330, such that the guard member 318 issubstantially supported by the guard support member. The guard supportmember 314 defines a lateral groove 334. Referring to FIG. 15, thelateral groove 334 is configured to receive a tongue member 338 of ahousing assembly 342, with the lateral groove 334 and the tongue member338 defining a tongue and groove arrangement 346. The guard supportmember 314 further defines mounting recesses 350. The mounting recesses350 are configured to receive corresponding mounting bosses defined bythe housing assembly 342. The guard support member 314 may be formed ofan impact resistant material such as a resilient polymer or rubber. Byacting as a resilient interface between the guard member 314 and thehousing assembly 342, the guard support member 314 substantially reducesthe transfer of impact forces between the housing assembly 342 and guardmember 318.

Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a tape measure.Although the invention has been described in detail with reference tocertain preferred constructions, variations and modifications existwithin the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of theinvention as described.

1. A tape measure for measuring a workpiece, the tape measurecomprising: a housing defining an internal cavity and a tape port; acoilable measuring tape at least partially disposed within the internalcavity of the housing and having a first end extendable out of thehousing through the tape port; an end hook member including anattachment portion and a hook portion, the attachment portion arrangedto engage the first end of the measuring tape to attach the end hookmember to the measuring tape, the hook portion extending in a directionsubstantially normal to the attachment portion and including a firstface and a second face arranged to engage the workpiece, the second facefacing outward from the first end of the measuring tape; and a guardmember extending from the housing at location in front of the tape port,the guard member having a front surface configured to engage a portionof the end hook member when the measuring tape is fully retracted; and afinger space defined by the housing and located between the tape portand the guard member and arranged to receive a user's finger duringoperation of the tape measure such that the user's finger slidinglyengages the measuring tape; wherein the guard member defines an openingsized to allow passage of the measuring tape into the housing throughthe tape port and sized to inhibit passage of the hook portion into thehousing.
 2. The tape measure of claim 1, wherein the first face of theend hook member contacts the front face of the guard member when themeasuring tape is fully retracted.
 3. The tape measure of claim 1, andfurther comprising a guard support member supporting the guard memberfrom the housing.
 4. The tape measure of claim 3, wherein the guardmember includes a U-shaped guard member.
 5. The tape measure of claim 3,wherein the guard member is formed of metal.
 6. The tape measure ofclaim 3, wherein the guard support member is formed of an impactresistant material.
 7. The tape measure of claim 3, wherein the guardsupport member is formed of a material that is more resilient than thehousing.
 8. The tape measure of claim 1, wherein the finger spaceextends in a first direction between the tape port and the guard member,and wherein the housing includes a lowermost surface, and the fingerspace is recessed above the lowermost surface into the housing toprovide space for the user's finger in a second direction substantiallynormal to the first direction.
 9. The tape measure of claim 8, whereinthe guard member inhibits contact between the end hook member and theuser's finger when the user's finger is positioned within the fingerspace.
 10. (canceled)
 11. (canceled)
 12. (canceled)
 13. A tape measurecomprising: a housing having a wall defining an internal cavity, thewall including a front surface and a bottom surface, a tape port formedin the housing adjacent the bottom surface; a coilable measuring tape atleast partially disposed within the housing and having a first endextendable out of the housing through the tape port; an end hook memberincluding an attachment portion and a hook portion, the attachmentportion arranged to engage the first end of the measuring tape; a guardmember defining an opening sized to allow passage of the measuring tapeinto the housing through the tape port; and a gap defined between theguard member and the tape port.
 14. The tape measure of claim 13,wherein the user's finger slidingly engages the measuring tape in thegap and the gap is sized to receive a user's finger and the guard memberlimits contact between the user's finger and the hook portion when theuser's finger is disposed in the gap during tape usage.
 15. The tapemeasure of claim 13, wherein the hook portion engages the guard memberwhen the measuring tape is fully retracted.
 16. The tape measure ofclaim 13, further comprising a guard support member supporting the guardmember from the housing.
 17. The tape measure of claim 16, wherein theguard member is formed from a substantially rigid material and whereinthe guard support member is formed from a material that is moreresilient than the housing and the guard member.
 18. The tape measure ofclaim 13, wherein the guard member includes a metal portion.
 19. Thetape measure of claim 13, wherein the measuring tape passes between theuser's finger and the housing within the gap, and wherein theapplication of pressure to the measuring tape at the user's fingerinhibits retraction of the measuring tape.
 20. The tape measure of claim19, wherein the application of pressure sandwiches the measuring tapebetween the housing and the user's finger to inhibit movement of themeasuring tape.
 21. A tape measure comprising: a housing comprising alowermost surface and defining an internal cavity and a tape port; acoilable measuring tape at least partially disposed within the internalcavity of the housing and having a first end extendable out of thehousing through the tape port; an end hook member including anattachment portion and a hook portion, the attachment portion arrangedto engage the first end of the measuring tape to attach the end hookmember to the measuring tape, the hook portion extending in a directionsubstantially normal to the attachment portion and including a firstface and a second face arranged to engage the workpiece, the second facefacing outward from the first end of the measuring tape; and a guardmember located in front of the tape port, the guard member having afront surface configured to engage a portion of the end hook member whenthe measuring tape is fully retracted; and a gap defined by thelowermost surface and located between the tape port and the guardmember; wherein the gap is recessed above the lowermost surface into thehousing to provide space for the user's finger to engage with themeasuring tape.